The flight, AI171, was on a route to Gatwick Airport as fears mount regarding the safety protocols of Air India following this recent incident.
Tragic Plane Crash in India: Air India Flight Goes Down with 242 on Board
Tragic Plane Crash in India: Air India Flight Goes Down with 242 on Board
The passenger aircraft was headed to London when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, resulting in major concerns over aviation safety.
An Air India passenger plane carrying 242 individuals bound for London tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport in Gujarat on Thursday. The airline confirmed through social media that Flight AI171 was involved in the accident, which occurred at approximately 1:38 PM local time. Initial reports indicated that injured passengers were swiftly transported to local hospitals, but casualty numbers remained unclear.
Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, expressed his shock on social media following the incident, stating, "We are on highest alert." The crash site saw thick black smoke rising, as captured in videos circulating from local media outlets.
Onboard the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner were 169 Indians, 53 Britons, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese individuals. Investigations are currently underway to ascertain the cause of the crash—a concern amplified given Air India's effort to improve its safety record in recent years.
The airline, which has faced scrutiny over safety protocols, had not experienced a significant crash since 2020 when an Air India Express flight encountered difficulties on a rain-soaked runway, resulting in 17 fatalities. This incident, along with a deadly crash in 2010, has stoked ongoing worries regarding the professionalism and safety standards of India's burgeoning aviation sector.
Amelia Nierenberg, a breaking news reporter for The Times in London, continues to follow this evolving story closely and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
